Thill coupling



No. 625,498. Patented May 23, |899. W. H. GROW.

THILL COUPLING.

\ (Application mea ocr. 1s, 189s.)

m0 Model.; v 2 sheets-sheet 2.

n Vi MUM, u Il UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

VILLIAM H. GROW, OF WINFIELD, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GEORGEEMERSON, OF SAME PLACE.

THILLHCOUPLING.

srncinrcn'rror forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,498, dated May as,189e.

Application tiled October 18, 1898. Serial No. 693,922. (No model.)

To eZ/ whom, it may concern."

Beit known that LWILLIAM H. GROW, a citizen of the United States,residing at XVinfield, in the county of Cowley and State of Kansas, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in r.Phill-Couplings; and Ido hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to thillcouplings; and the purpose of the same isto produce a snugly-iitting easily-operated device of this characterhaving an antirattling attachment which is completely inclosed when theparts are articulated, and thereby avoids the formation of exteriorprojections and also effectually obviates any tendency of looseness ofthe members by automatically absorbing the slack movement primarilyexisting and also due to wear and at the same time permits the thills tohave free pivotal action.

By the use of a simple attachment comprising a part of the couplingapplication of the invention to old forms of clips already in positionon the running-gear of vehicles can be attained, and, further,theimproved coupling is adapted to be used with either thills vor poles.

The invention consists of the construction and arrangement of theseveral parts which will be more fully hereinafter described andclaimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of athill-coupling embodying the invention and showing a portionof aclip-support and thill to illustrate the application. Fig. 2 is acentral longitudinal vertical section of the parts shown by Fig. l. Fig.3 is a section al elevation of the coupling, showing the position of theparts thereof for uncoupling the same. Fig. 4: is a detail perspectiveview of the antirattling spring. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of thecoupling. Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical section of the coupling. Fig.7 is a longitudinal section of the improved thill-coupling embodying anattachment for application to old forms of clips. Fig. S is a top planview of the device shown by Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective viewof a modification.

Referring to the drawings, wherein similar numerals are utilized toindicate corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral Idesignates an axle and bolster having thereon a clip 2, secured by meansof screw-threaded legs 3 in the ordinary manner. At the lower part ofthe front of the clip 2 a hook 4 projects forwardly, and at the point ofjuncture with the body of the clip the metal is widened, as at 5, toform a strong connection and insure a rigidity of support sufficient toovercome shocks or jars. The opening 6 in the hook 4 is inclinedrearwardly and stands at about an angle of forty-five degrees to avertical line drawn centrally through the aXle and bolster and the clip2. The opposite walls of the said opening 6 are straight and run to asemicircular seat 7, and the lowermost wall gradually merges into theadjacent front face 8 of the clip, which is concave opposite the openingor throat of the said hook 4. The outer edge of the hook 4 is circularin contour, and in the upper termination or adjacent the point of thehook the said edge is formed with a dovetailed recess 9, as clearlyshown in Fig. 6, which tapers forwardly from the point of the hook, andtherein is tted the upper broadened end IO cf an antirattling spring 1I,which is held continuously in connection with the said hook by means ofa rivet 12 or analogous fastening. The spring 11 is curved in circularform; but the arc of the same is greater than that of the outer edge ofthe hook and normally stands away from the greater portion of the saidhook, as shown by Fig. 3; but when the parts of the coupling arearticulated or connected the said spring is closed against the outeredge of the hook, as illustrated in the several sections. The pressureof the spring can be varied by increasing or decreasing the arc of thesame. The end l0 of the spring, which fits in the recess 9, hassurrounding beveled edges, and in applying said spring the free end ofthe same is first gradually moved around through said recess and downover the front edge of the hook and until the end IO is snuglypositioned and driven 'into the said recess 9. Fromthis construction itwill be seen that the downward drag or pull on the spring is materiallyresisted by the end lO and a greater IOO s 6mes front concave wall 16,having a central groove 17 therein, as clearly shown by Fig. 3. EX-

tending across the bifurcation 15 is a bolt1S,

which stands in such relative position to the concave Wall 16 that whenthe said yoke and hook are articulated the spring 11 is forced closelyinto the groove 17, and a resilient pressure is not only brought to bearat a point intermediate of the two parts of the coupling Vby the saidspring, but the latter is held centrally on the hook and prevented fromhaving lateral movement by the groove 17, and breakage is therebyavoided. In coupling the yoke with the hook the thills or poleattachments carrying the said yokes are ele-v vated, as shown by Fig. 3,and until the bearing-bar 18 stands in line with the throat or openingof the hook L1, and after this positionA is acquired a downward pull onthe yoke will seat the bolts in the hooks, and when the cir` cular seats7 are reached the thills or poles 'can be drawn downwardly and theconcave walls 16 of the yokes freely ride over thel springs 11.

Incoupling the yokes they must be made' to assume the same position asinuncoupling, and in either operation the concave portion* 8 of the faceof clip serves as a guide to theI throat or opening of the hook inseating the bearing-bar in said'hook, and said face allows,

the bar to be withdrawn in the uncoupling operation. The interpositionof the spring 11 prevents the parts from having loose movement, and theannoyance occasioned by the vibration of loosely-connected thills orpoles is completely overcome, and at the same time the said springisprotected from injury. Furthermore, the curvature and inclos ure of thisspring does not in the least, so far as exterior.

view is concerned, change the appearance of the coupling; nor is the eyeattracted by irregular or unsightly projections, so common in devices ofthis character where interposed antirattling springs are employed.

A further advantage of the present device is the comparatively smallexpense incurred in applying the improvements, and with the exception ofthe cost of the spring the thill as an entirety will not have amaterially-greater cost than those now commonly employed.

In Fig. 9 the hook 4 is of the same construction as previously describedand embodies a similar front curved surface. A broad flat spring 19 isemployed in this instance and is secured to the said front surface ofthe The thill or pole, v

hook at the upper portion of the latter. The recess 9 is dispensed with,but the dierentiation of the arcs of the spring and said front surfaceof the hook is maintained, and when the parts are articulated the springis inclosed, as in the construction already described. This form of thedevice may be found useful in some couplings and is a little lessexpensive than the main form shown.

It wasimmediately apparent in the arrangement of the improved form ofcoupling that it could not be applied directly to the old form of clip,and where such devices were used it would incur considerable expense tohave the said old clips removed and the ima proved ones substitutedtherefor. Consequently an attachment was arranged and consists of thehook 4, as set forth, havingarear body or block 19, formed with acentral transverse opening 20 and adapted to be fitted between theopposite ears 21 of the old form of clips 22, as clearly shown in Figs.7 and S. As just set forth, the hook is at the front of the said body orblock and is in all respects, as well as the yoke, ,preciselylikethedevices heretofore set forth. To hold the body or block 19 firmly inposition `between the ears 2l, a wedge 23 is inserted by the 'rear endof the body or block and the front face of Athe clip 22, the said wedgeVbeing'also inserted between the ears 21 and forcibly drivenldownward.'Ihe body or block 19 is held between the ears 21 by means of `the bolt24, and by the use of this attachment the improved form of coupling maybe readily applied Ato and used with the old style of clips.

The coupling set` forth or the attachment used in connection therewithmaybe used for other purposes, if desired, and changes in theproportions, dimensions, and minor details of construction could beresorted to toaccommodate vvarious applications and Vuses withoutin theleast departingfronrthe nature or spirit of the invention.

I-Iaving thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as newis 1. In a thill-coupling, the combination of a clip having a hook withan outer "rounded edge provided with a recess in the upperportionthereof, a yoke formed with a bifurcation to fit over the hook landhaving a transverse bolt extending across the same and a front concavewall with a groove therein, and a curved spring interposed between theouter side or edge of the said hook and theconcave wall of the yoke andhaving'its upper end seated in the recess of the hook.

2. In a thill-coupling, the combination of a clip supporting a fronthook having an outer circular or regularly-curved front edge, a curvedspring having agreater arc than the front edge or side of the hook andattached to the upper portion of the latter, and a yoke to engage thesaid hook having a rear bifurcation with a bolt extending transverselyacross the same and a front concave wall.

IOO

y3. In a thiIi-coupling, the combination of a clip supporting a hook atthe front portion thereof having an outer regularlycurved edge, a curvedspring having a greater arc than the said outer edge of the hook andsecured thereto, and a yoke for attachment to a thiil or pole having arear bifurcation and a transverse bolt to fit in the hook and alsoformed with the front concave Wall conforming in curvature to the frontedge of the hook.

4. In a thin-coupling, the combination of a clip supporting a front hookhaving an outer regularly-curved edge provided with a dovetailed recessin the upper portion thereof, a curved spring having an upper broadenedend with beveled edges to fit the said recess, and a yoke carried by athili or pole having a rear bifurcation with a transverse bolt to t thehook and a front concave wall.

5. In a thin-coupling, the combination of a clip having a front hookwith an outer regularly-curved edge having a dovetailed recess

